When Does a Nanny for Two Children Get a Break?

[Anonymous]

I'm starting the process of looking for a nanny for my two children, one is nearly 3 years and the other will be 3-4 months when the nanny starts working. When we had just one child our nanny naturally had a good long break when our child was napping, but I can't see any way to guarantee both children will nap at the same time. So, what do nannies do to stay at their best all day, and what are reasonable expectations I should have as an employer?

[Anonymous]

If it's important to her, she'll figure out a way to get the afternoon nap on the same (or mostly the same) schedule. My first nanny job was with a newborn and 3 yr old and I always managed to get a break because the baby slept so much during the day. He naturally put himself on a schedule that allowed a break.

[Anonymous]

If the 3 yo doesn't nap, she can institute quiet time (sit in bed with books and/or a few toys for 30 min while nanny eats lunch or just chills out.

If 3yo naps, she can likely get everyone napping simultaneously (and teach you to do the same)!

But any applicant woth experience will know that it's a pretty unrelenting schedule and will know how to manage both the kids and herself so that the day isn't overwhelming.

[Anonymous]

PP is right. It doesn't matter if the 3 year old gives up the nap soon or continues napping. Nannies figure this out all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP is right. It doesn't matter if the 3 year old gives up the nap soon or continues napping. Nannies figure this out all the time.

Provided there's no micromanagement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP is right. It doesn't matter if the 3 year old gives up the nap soon or continues napping. Nannies figure this out all the time.

Provided there's no micromanagement.

Very, very true!

[Anonymous]

That is kind and thoughtful of you to consider the nanny's welfare and morale.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is kind and thoughtful of you to consider the nanny's welfare and morale.

And so unusual. Kudos to OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is kind and thoughtful of you to consider the nanny's welfare and morale.

And so unusual. Kudos to OP.

[Anonymous]

What do you do when you need a break?

[Anonymous]

OP here. I take a break when DH comes home. Or, if both are sleeping at the same time but that is it. Is it realistic to expect that of a nanny? On the one hand I would think so - young children need constant supervision and care, particularly under 2. Then again, it seems I've seen lots of comments about how its unrealistic to expect nannies to work a full day without any break. I'm trying to figure out what can actually work. To those who have said I am kind, I think you give me too much credit. I'm trying to be realistic. I've already had the experience of hiring someone who said they could do all agreed upon duties (as discussed in detail, and specified in the contract) only to have them say after a few months that it is too much. For example, carrying a stroller up and down a few stairs each day. We tried out the stroller in the interview, she carried it up and down the stairs, she carried DD around as well. I was trying to be very clear about the physical demands. Then, three months later the nanny says she can't take DD out in the stroller anymore because it is too hard on her back). I'm afraid I'll hire someone who will tell me they will constantly engage the children and then a few months later tell me caring for two young children is a lot of work and they need to be on their phone for 30-40 minutes a couple times of day to get a break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I take a break when DH comes home. Or, if both are sleeping at the same time but that is it. Is it realistic to expect that of a nanny? On the one hand I would think so - young children need constant supervision and care, particularly under 2. Then again, it seems I've seen lots of comments about how its unrealistic to expect nannies to work a full day without any break. I'm trying to figure out what can actually work. To those who have said I am kind, I think you give me too much credit. I'm trying to be realistic. I've already had the experience of hiring someone who said they could do all agreed upon duties (as discussed in detail, and specified in the contract) only to have them say after a few months that it is too much. For example, carrying a stroller up and down a few stairs each day. We tried out the stroller in the interview, she carried it up and down the stairs, she carried DD around as well. I was trying to be very clear about the physical demands. Then, three months later the nanny says she can't take DD out in the stroller anymore because it is too hard on her back). I'm afraid I'll hire someone who will tell me they will constantly engage the children and then a few months later tell me caring for two young children is a lot of work and they need to be on their phone for 30-40 minutes a couple times of day to get a break.

Hire someone who has already done a similar job. I have worked with 5 under 8, two different sets of twins, 3 under 3, etc. Look for someone with a proven track record. For me, my break during the day is often watching a sitcom while cooking dinner/washing bottles/folding laundry during naptime. I take mini- lbreaks during the day by doing things like taking the kids to a fun museum or park, wearing out the older one, then getting older DC set up with an activity and checking email on my phone for 10 min while feeding the baby in the same room. I eat my meals alongside the kids. I find ways to relax for a few minutes within the framework of engaging and supervising young kids, and I find the pace to be energizing. I have definitely had strollers I refused to carry, but I also have my own lightweight stroller to use and I have several baby carriers and would just throw the toddler on my back and the baby on my front before I would quit a job over a heavy-ass stroller.

[Anonymous]

As long as you hire a competent professional,
she'll figure it out, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As long as you hire a competent professional,
she'll figure it out, OP.

OP word of advice, read the WiFi thread to figure out some strategies to avoid your nanny "figuring it out" at the expense of your children. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I take a break when DH comes home. Or, if both are sleeping at the same time but that is it. Is it realistic to expect that of a nanny? On the one hand I would think so - young children need constant supervision and care, particularly under 2. Then again, it seems I've seen lots of comments about how its unrealistic to expect nannies to work a full day without any break. I'm trying to figure out what can actually work. To those who have said I am kind, I think you give me too much credit. I'm trying to be realistic. I've already had the experience of hiring someone who said they could do all agreed upon duties (as discussed in detail, and specified in the contract) only to have them say after a few months that it is too much. For example, carrying a stroller up and down a few stairs each day. We tried out the stroller in the interview, she carried it up and down the stairs, she carried DD around as well. I was trying to be very clear about the physical demands. Then, three months later the nanny says she can't take DD out in the stroller anymore because it is too hard on her back). I'm afraid I'll hire someone who will tell me they will constantly engage the children and then a few months later tell me caring for two young children is a lot of work and they need to be on their phone for 30-40 minutes a couple times of day to get a break.

Hire someone who has already done a similar job. I have worked with 5 under 8, two different sets of twins, 3 under 3, etc. Look for someone with a proven track record. For me, my break during the day is often watching a sitcom while cooking dinner/washing bottles/folding laundry during naptime. I take mini- lbreaks during the day by doing things like taking the kids to a fun museum or park, wearing out the older one, then getting older DC set up with an activity and checking email on my phone for 10 min while feeding the baby in the same room. I eat my meals alongside the kids. I find ways to relax for a few minutes within the framework of engaging and supervising young kids, and I find the pace to be energizing. I have definitely had strollers I refused to carry, but I also have my own lightweight stroller to use and I have several baby carriers and would just throw the toddler on my back and the baby on my front before I would quit a job over a heavy-ass stroller.

Exactly this, OP!